Lumberton, N.J., native honored for first time this
season after leading Skyhawks shutout performance
EASTON, Mass. (October 22, 2010) – Stonehill College sophomore defensive back Jareed Gaines (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley) has been named the Northeast-10 Conference's Player of the Week by the league office.
Gaines, who earns Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first time this season (2nd career), led Stonehill to its first shutout in nearly two full seasons in last Saturday's 27-0 victory at Pace University. He finished with six tackles (four solo), including three for a loss of 17 yards, a sack for a loss of 12, a fumble recovery and interception that he returned ten yards. Gaines spearheaded a defensive effort which held Pace to just nine first downs and 135 yards of total offense (49 rushing/86 passing) and forced four turnovers (three interceptions and one fumble). The Setters crossed the Skyhawks 45 yard line just once and that came when their opening drive of the second half stalled on downs at the Stonehill 38. Pace didn't pass its own 46 the rest of the day, venturing into Skyhawks territory just three times in the game.
Gaines has started all six games for Stonehill this season and has totaled 40 tackles (15th NE-10), including 23 solo, with an NE-10 best 10.0 for a loss (18th nationally in Division II) of 46 yards, including 3.0 sacks (10th NE-10) for a loss of 32, a Division II-best four fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks, two passes defended and an interception.
Gaines, the 2009 NE-10 Freshman of the Year, has started 11 of the 16 games he has played in his two seasons at Stonehill. He has totaled 91 tackles (44 solo), including 17.0 for a loss of 64 yards, with 6.0 sacks for a loss of 41, six fumble recoveries (two for touchdowns), five pass breakups, four blocked kicks, two quarterback hurries and an interception and forced fumble. Gaines earned NE-10 Freshman of the Week honors four times last fall.
Stonehill (3-3, 1-3 NE-10) is back in action on Saturday when it hosts Southern Connecticut State University for an NE-10 matchup at W.B. Mason Stadium as part of Family Weekend at the College at 1 p.m.